With nearly half of the regular season in the books, the playoff picture is once again heating up across both conferences. In the AFC, a conference that has won six of the last ten Super Bowls, we once again see a unique blend of perennial powerhouses, surprise risers, and shocking omissions. Here are our Top 5 AFC teams after week 7.
Top 5 AFC Teams After Week 7
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Dread it, run from it, destiny still arrives all the same.
After what was the worst start of the Patrick Mahomes era, when the Chiefs fell to 0-2, Kansas City has not only looked like the best team in the league over the past two weeks but has also felt like it. That sense of dominance was missing for most of last season, even as they finished 15-2 in the regular season.
The biggest difference? For the first time in nearly two years, the Chiefs have their full wide receiver group healthy and available. With Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Hollywood Brown all playing their first official snaps together against the Raiders.
This version of the Chiefs also boasts a tested and improving defense that continues to get better after a rocky start. With the league’s best player at quarterback and a roster filled with weapons on both sides of the ball, Kansas City once again stands as the team to beat in the AFC, even if the record still says 4-3.
2. Buffalo Bills
On a two-game losing streak, the Bills still once again find themselves chasing the same rival that has long been their kryptonite for most of this decade.
Josh Allen’s play has not always matched his impressive numbers this season, yet on a drive-to-win basis, few quarterbacks inspire more confidence. Despite a pedestrian group of skill-position players beyond the backfield, Allen’s combination of arm strength and scrambling keeps Buffalo dangerous.
A bigger concern has been the defense. For the first time in the McDermott-Allen era, the unit has looked merely average, a stark contrast to past seasons. That has forced Allen into more “hero ball,” leading to increased turnovers compared to last year, when he ranked among the league’s most careful quarterbacks.
Still, with an offensive line that can rank among the league’s best when healthy and a quarterback capable of carrying any game, the Bills remain one of the most dangerous teams in the conference. Experience still counts for plenty in this league and the Bills have plenty of it.
3. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are the only team in the conference with six wins through the first seven weeks, an unexpected twist few saw coming before the season began. With a manageable schedule ahead, Indianapolis is not only a lock to win its division but could even contend for the AFC’s top seed.
The offseason addition of Daniel Jones, initially brought in to compete with Anthony Richardson for the starting job, has turned out to be a revelation. But this team’s success runs deeper than quarterback play. The offense is balanced and dynamic, led by All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor and breakout rookie tight end Tyler Warren.
Defensively, the Colts have impressed as well. Their aggressive front and disciplined secondary have combined to make them a top-10 scoring defense. With such a complete roster, Indianapolis is one of the teams poised to make a breakout run in a wide-open AFC, though inexperience or quarterback nerves against elite competition could still be an obstacle.
4. New England Patriots
Are the team of the millennium finally back in the post-Brady, post-Belichick era? It certainly feels that way.
Life under head coach Mike Vrabel could not have started better. He has already instilled a strong culture, most notably seen in the development of sophomore quarterback Drake Maye, who is playing at a true MVP level and well ahead of schedule in his progression.
Stefon Diggs has turned back the clock, performing like a genuine number one option again, while the offensive line has given Maye the time he needs to connect downfield with Diggs and tight end Hunter Henry.
Defensively, the Patriots have also been outstanding, ranking fifth in the league in scoring defense. With one of the easiest remaining schedules in the NFL, New England appears ready to make its first legitimate playoff run of the millennium without Tom Brady or Bill Belichick.
5. Denver Broncos
Built on a great defensive foundation, the Broncos are one of the few teams capable of flipping a game in their favor by making more plays on defense than offense.
As of now, they sit atop the AFC West, arguably the toughest division in the conference. With an experienced coach, a Defensive Player of the Year in the secondary, and a ferocious pass rush, Denver’s defense can challenge any offense in football.
The offense, however, remains a question mark. Quarterback Bo Nix has struggled with consistency. That inconsistency limits their ceiling, but on their day, the Broncos can be lethal. Their record alone earns them a rightful place among the top five teams in the AFC through the first seven weeks.
Main Image: Jay Biggerstaff – Imagn Images
The post Top 5 AFC Teams After Week 7 of the 2025 NFL Season appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.